Threads of fate

Minji watched Jin as he engaged with the children, his smile soft but lacking the brightness she was used to seeing. Jiho tugged at Jin's sleeve, showing him a flower he had picked, while Jiwon leaned against him, her tiny hands clutching his fingers as if anchoring him to the present moment.

Minji's heart swelled at the sight, yet concern simmered just beneath the surface. Jin had always been the pillar of strength and warmth in their family. Seeing him like this, surrounded by laughter yet seemingly apart from it, made her uneasy. She could sense a heaviness in his gaze, a weariness in his movements that had not been there before.

But she knew better than to question him now—not when Jiho was proudly weaving flower crowns and Jiwon was curling up into Jin’s side, her eyes shining with adoration for her appa. The children were unaware of the storms brewing in the adults' hearts, and Minji wanted to keep it that way.

Instead, she joined in their play, picking up tiny pebbles and building miniature castles with them. Jin occasionally met her eyes, offering a grateful but strained smile. Minji wished she could reach out and ask him what was wrong, but she respected his boundaries too much to push him in front of the kids.

Jiho finished the flower crown and placed it gently on Jin’s head, giggling as he adjusted it. “Now you’re the Flower King, Appa!”

Jin chuckled softly, the sound more of a breath than genuine laughter. “Does that make you my Flower Prince, Jiho?”

Jiho nodded enthusiastically. “And Jiwon is the Flower Princess!”

Jiwon beamed, twirling around in delight. “I’m a princess! Like in the stories!”

Minji clapped her hands together in mock amazement. “Well, I must be in the presence of royalty. I better be on my best behavior!”

The children laughed, their joy infectious, pulling both Jin and Minji into their innocent world, even if just for a moment.

As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting a warm glow over the garden, Minji knew it was time to head back. She gently squeezed Jin’s shoulder as they gathered the kids to return inside. “Thank you for letting me crash your royal court, Flower King,” she teased softly.

Jin nodded, his eyes softening as he looked down at Jiho and Jiwon. “You’re welcome anytime,” he murmured.

Minji’s smile faltered just slightly, her concern intensifying as she noted the fatigue in Jin’s expression. Still, she kept quiet, choosing instead to take Jiwon’s hand and lead her inside.

As they walked back into the villa, Minji resolved to find a way to talk to Jin—alone—before the wedding. Whatever was weighing on him, she needed to know. Not just for her sake, but for the sake of the family she loved dearly.
Minji stayed the night at the Kim mansion, quietly sharing dinner with the family. The atmosphere was calm, filled with soft conversations and warm glances, a quiet contrast to the emotional whirlwind she had experienced earlier.

After dinner, she stepped aside to make a quick call, informing both Namjoon and her own family that she’d be staying at the Kim mansion for the night. "I’ll come back tomorrow morning," she said gently.

They understood and agreed without hesitation, trusting her judgment. "Okay, Minji. Take care," Namjoon had replied, his voice calm but caring.

After dinner, the atmosphere in the Kim mansion felt lighter as Minji playfully announced, “Tonight is girls' pajama party! Eomeonim, Jiwon, Eunhee unnie, and I will have the best time ever.”

Immediately, Jiho’s excitement turned into a pout. “That’s not fair! Why only the girls?”

Minji giggled. “Because it's a special girls-only night.”